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Addressing the biggest ‘criticisms’ for the Detroit Pistons this offseason

By Adam Hernandez

Apr 8, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) talks to forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Celtics beat the Pistons 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) talks to forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Celtics beat the Pistons 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons offseason has most certainly faced it’s fair share of criticism over the years. It’s something you simply don’t have to remind Pistons fans about. We’ve all wondered how life might have been like without the Darko pick. We’ve all debated the Allen Iverson trade and suffered through most coaching hires since Larry Brown.

Some of the criticism the team has faced though, especially this offseason doesn’t seem warranted. It also doesn’t seem like the criticism faced is based on any type of rational thinking. Especially rational thinking that really digs beneath the surface.

So what are the biggest offseason ‘criticisms’ faced by the Detroit Pistons this summer? Lets take a look.

Letting Greg Monroe Walk

Detroit Pistons Offseason
Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Whether your Stacey King on SiriusXM’s Above the Rim or Hunter Felt on The Guardian who seemed to think the Pistons’ offseason was embroiled in stupidity, letting Greg Monroe walk was a ‘big mistake’. This could be the case if you’re someone fascinated with empty double-doubles or a one-dimensional game.

Unfortunately those criticizing the Pistons’ decision to let Monroe go are taking zero into account the direction Van Gundy is going with this team.

If the Pistons are going to truly undertake Van Gundy’s vision of the single lone post guy surrounded by shooters then there will have to be some sacrifice. And in that sense, letting a guy like Monroe walk who shot 35 percent between eight and twenty-five feet out in 2014-15 isn’t surprising in the least.

Not to mention it was Monroe who allowed opponents to shoot 60.1 percent inside six feet of the basket.

Giving Reggie Jackson $80 million dollars is ridiculous

Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo! Sports called the Reggie Jackson contract extension ‘terrible’ while going on to suggest that Van Gundy and Pistons general manager Jeff Bower have ‘forgotten about basketball’.

Something Dwyer fails to mention however is the market being set prior to Jackson’s deal when Brandon Knight and Khris Middleton both signed 5-year, $70 million dollar contracts.

Sure, $80 million for Reggie Jackson is a big contract. It’s clear though Jackson is being paid for what the team anticipates him doing and not for what he’s already done. That’s not totally unfathomable either for a guy who played very well in the Van Gundy transition late last year.

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Finally, when it comes to that non-existent Reggie Jackson market this offseason, yes it’s true the market was thin. However as much as Greg Monroe didn’t fit the new Pistons scheme, the team in turn learned a valuable lesson when it came to dealing with restricted free agents and what could be an impending qualifying offer.

If Jackson were to reach unrestricted free agency, someone is opening the checkbook for him.

Passing on Justise Winslow 

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow holds up a piece of the net after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow holds up a piece of the net after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men /

When the Pistons passed on Duke’s Justise Winslow for Stanley Johnson some fans clamored while certain media members like ESPN’s Chad Ford believed the Pistons simply made a mistake.

Perhaps the Pistons did make a mistake by not selecting Winslow.

The former Duke forward was without a doubt impressive while in college and worthy of being picked ten overall by the Heat. Something to keep in mind though is nine other teams passed on Winslow during the process which could raise some questions.

Perhaps the questions pertain to Winslow’s mental makeup. Maybe Stanley Johnson, who had similar stats to Winslow in college (although not as good) had a better NBA mindset? Van Gundy seemed impressed and still went with a guy that will fit very well with what he ultimately wants to do here in Detroit. Not to mention I think a lot of the Winslow love was more based on the fact he went to Duke.

Give Stanley Johnson a blue and white jersey with Duke on the front and I’m sure more fans and members of the media would be happier with the selection.

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